Women, Called and Serving in Leadership

Great Host of Women

July 17, 2008 on 7:59 am | In Women in Ministry | No Comments

Psalms 68: 11 (New American Standard) The Lord gives the command; The women who proclaim the tidings are a great host:

Psalms 68:11 (Complete Jewish Bible) Adonai gives the command; the women with the good news are a mighty army.

Psalm 68: 11 (Kings James Version) The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

The Hebrew word company used in the KJV is “tsaba”. Tsaba is a feminine form of the word “tsbaah,” which means “a mass of persons especially organized for war, an army, soldiers.”

The Hebrew word published used in the KJV is “basar,” which means “to announce glad news, a messenger, to PREACH, to publish, and to show forth.”
God chose to use this Hebrew word – a word that did not speak of women being silent but of being VOCAL announcers and messengers of His good news.

Women can not be silent and be the MESSANGERS God Himself has commanded they be. Women can not be silent and PREACH the Word of God which God Himself has commanded they do.

God Himself has risen up the might army of women who publish, who PREACH, and who show forth the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Women of the Old Testament
Eve

In Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 1: 28 God made no distinction between the functions of the male and female. He gave THEM the AUTHORITY to RULE over the earth. God gave an equal job and an equal responsibility to both Adam and Eve. God made NO DISTINCTION and NO SEPERATION of FUNCTION according to their gender!!

It just isn’t there!!! God DID NOT at the creation of male and female give ‘separate’ functions for Adam and ‘separate’ functions for Eve. God gave THEM the SAME FUNCTION and RESPONSIBILITY to rule and have dominion over the earth.

Zipporah

Exodus 4:24-26 Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet, and she said, “You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me.” 26 So He let him alone. At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood”–because of the circumcision.

It was Zipporah who perceived God was set to kill Moses because of his not keeping of His command of circumcision upon their sons. Perceiving this fact she cut the foreskins from her sons.

Zipporah had to know the command made to Abraham to circumcise all males in order to perceive this was the reason for God’s displeasure. In perceiving this she obeyed the command of God given to Abraham and circumcised her sons.

I especially like what Barnes says in Barnes Notes on the Bible about the meaning of “bloody husband”

Quote: “A bloody husband – Literally, “a husband of blood,” or “bloods.” The meaning is: The marriage bond between us is now sealed by blood. By performing the rite, Zipporah had recovered her husband; his life was purchased for her by the blood of her child.”
What a picture of the coming Christ child – salvation purchased by the blood of a child born through a woman.

Miriam

The Word of God lists Miriam as a prophetess (Ex. 15: 20) and we have record of her speaking messages in God’s name (Numbers 12:1-2).

The Word of God does NOT stop here in speaking of the position in which Miriam was placed by God.

Micah 6:4 “Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt And ransomed you from the house of slavery, And I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam.

God says He placed Miriam alongside Moses and Aaron in a position of LEADERSHIP over the nation Israel as they came out of the land of Egypt. This position of leadership was over both men and women.

Just as God gave Eve an equal position with Adam, we find God giving Miriam leadership over the nation of Israel alongside Moses and Aaron.

Did Miriam have authority over Moses – NO !!! Moses was the chief and head commander over Israel. But Miriam as God’s appointed leader did have authority over the men and women of the tribes of Israel.

God does not see woman as being not able to lead or not able to be placed in a position of leadership over men. God sees women as able and He placed them in positions of leadership alongside of men.

Deborah

Judges 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.

The Hebrew word translated as ‘judging’ is “shaphat” and means “to judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate or punish, to govern”

Deborah according to the Hebrew judged, pronounced sentence, had the ability to vindicate or punish, and governed the nation of Israel.

Deborah held a position of authority as a judge over the tribes of Israel.

It is usually assumed that God did such a ‘strange’ and ‘unusual thing’ when He placed Deborah as a prophetess and judge over Israel. We find this NOT to be so when we see in CONTEXT of the Word of God that God gave leadership to Eve in the Garden of Eden and to Miriam when He brought Israel out of Egypt. God does not discriminate due to gender. He placed Eve and Miriam in positions leadership and He continued to do so by placing Deborah in a position of authority and leadership.

God has NEVER discriminated against women in positions of leadership and authority – those who translate the scriptures in order to say He does violate the very intent of God shown forth in the whole counsel and context of the Word of God.

Deborah’s position of ‘leadership’ and ‘authority’ of man IS NOT an exception to the rule. God was continuing in the same pattern He had instituted in creation – equal and same function for man and woman!!!

Deborah’s position of authority and leadership WAS NOT only because “a man” would not step up and function in this position.

NO WHERE can such a statement be proven by Scripture. NO scripture can be found to back this statement!! This statement is simply a ‘doctrine of man’ used in an attempt to explain away Deborah’s position of leadership and authority over males!!

Many have used what is termed as “Barak’s rebuke” as proof God’s displeasure with a man not stepping up into the position of leadership.

Let’s just look at that:

Judges 4:6-9 Now she sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, “Behold, the LORD, the God of Israel, has commanded, ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun. 7 ‘I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his many troops to the river Kishon, and I will give him into your hand.’” 8 Then Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” 9 She said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.

In verse 7 Deborah tells Barak God will gvie Sisera into his hand. In verse 8 Barak states he will go out to war if Deborah will go with him and he will not go if she would not.

Deborah’s response is found in verse 9. “…the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.”

These words of Deborah have been taught by many as being a rebuke from God to Barak for the heinous act of asking Deborah, a woman, to go with him into war.

God’s supposed displeasure of a woman ruling is supposed to be shown because God rebuked Barak. God’s supposed displeasure and this supposed rebuke of Barak is used to prove that God only placed Deborah in this position of leadership and authority because a man would not rise to this position.

To teach this passage in this manner you must totally ignore verse 14 which is spoken by Deborah to Baraak AFTER the supposed ‘rebuke’.

Judges 4:14 Deborah said to Barak, “Arise! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hands; behold, the LORD has gone out before you.” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.

God DID NOT rebuke Barak for asking Deborah to go up with him. In verse 14 God repeated to Barak the promise given to him in verse 7 of “giving Sisera into his hand”. It is very important to note that verse 14 comes AFTER the supposed rebuke was given!!!

When Deborah spoke that Sisera would be sold into the hands of a woman she was prophesying what Sisera’s end would be. She was a prophetess after all!

If God did not have a problem with making Deborah a prophetess and a judge of Israel, I doubt He had a problem with her going up to war with Barak. I believe her answer to Barak in verse 9 was not negative, but positive and one full of excitement; “I will surely go with you!”

God was NOT displeased with Deborah’s leadership as a prophetess and judge over Israel. Her leadership and position of authority was in line with Eve and Miriam’s functions as equals in leadership with equal roles and functions.

Jael

God used Jael – a blessed woman of the tent according to Judges 5:24 – to drive a peg through the temple of Sisera.

Judges 4:18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my master, turn aside to me! Do not be afraid.”

Jael went out to meet Sisera – she did not wait for Sisera to come to her. She was confident of her God given call.

Judges 4: 22 And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.”

Jael went out to meet Barak, she told him to come and see the man he sought. Jael was not ashamed that she, a woman, had accomplished the call of God on her life – her actions tell us she was fully assured and confident. She did not keep it secret – she instead loudly announced it. She came out to meet Barak and joyfully announced, “Come and see!”

Serah

We find the name of Serah in Numbers 26:46 where she is named among the sons of Israel who “are able to go out to war”. This woman – the daughter of Asher – was named and included in this list. Her inclusion here places her as being one of those who are able to go out to war!!

Numbers 26:2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ households, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel.”

Numbers 26:46 The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.

This expression ‘able to go out to war’ meant Serah possessed the ability to accomplish and carry out ALL aspects of warfare. In order for Serah to possess this ability to war she must have been trained in the skills of combat and in the use of the weapons of war.

Serah’s name was enrolled for service in war, she was a mighty warrior of valor who possessed great ability in combat and performed mighty exploits.

We find Serah performing the equal function of warrior beside the men of the tribe of Asher.

Sheerah

We find the name of Sheerah in 1 Chronicles 7:24 which tells us she built the cities of lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah.

Uzzen-sheerah was named after her own name. Sheerah built this city and she either named it after herself or others in honor of her named it after her.

The cities of Beth-horon were taken by Joshua (Joshua 10) during the time of Israel’s conquest of Canaan.

These cities were given to the tribe of Ephraim when the land was divided among the tribes of Israel.

The next we hear of the cities of Beth-horon is when they are built by Sheerah.

Sheerah did not only ‘rebuild’ these cities as a carpenter or one who builds with stone.
These cities were given as an inheritance to the tribe of Ephraim. She possessed leadership over these cities as a member of the tribe of Ephraim in order to build them.

Sheerah did not rebuild these cities by herself – she had authority and leadership over those who dwelled in these cities. She directed the work of rebuilding the cities.

After ‘settling’ these cities through their rebuilding Sheerah built a new city which was named Uzzen-sheerah.

In order for the tribes of Israel to possess their inheritance – the cities and land they inherited – they had to drive out the Canaanites who lived there.

In order for Sheerah to build the city of Uzzen-sheerah she had to first take possession of the land by driving out the Canaanites who still dwelled in the land.

Huldah

God used a woman to teach and instruct his high priest, the elders, and the king of Judah.

Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.

King Josiah commanded Hilkiah and some of the king’s servants to go and inquire of the Lord for him concerning the words of the book of the law. King Josiah feared the wrath of God which burned against them because they and their fathers had not listened to the words of the law to do all that it commanded.

I personally find it very interesting that Hilkiah the priest did not understand the meaning of the words of the Law, because of his lack of knowledge he was not able to instruct the king and the elders in its meaning. It was Huldah, a woman, who would give them INSTRUCTION in the meaning of the words of the Law.

2 Kings 22:14-15 So Hilkiah, the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah, the prophetess, the wife of Shallum, the son of Tikvah, and the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they spoke to her. 15 She said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel,

Huldah the prophetess spoke the message of God to them and they carried the message of the Lord back to the king.

Huldah’s words were more than prophecy. We can ascertain from the end of verse 14 where it says “they spoke to her” that her were spoken in answer to the questions they asked her.

Huldah’s prophetic message was so much more than a simple prophetic word – it answered their questions and gave them the instruction they sought. Instruction is the reason they sought her out.

How can we say God does not allow a woman to teach or instruct men when we have an example from His very Word of the woman Huldah whom God used to instruct men through speaking a message from the Lord?

Huldah DID NOT usurp their male authority when she gave these men instruction. Their authority of as king, as elder, and as high priest was not usurped by Huldah when she instructed them. Their authority remained intact, just as the authority of men today remains intact and IS NOT usurped by a woman preaching and instructing males in the Word of God.

It is incorrect to say that Hilkiah the high priest sought out the prophetess Huldah because there was NO male prophet in the land who was able to speak a word from the Lord.

According to 2 Chronicles 34:8 &14 it was in the eighteenth year of King Josiah that the book of the law was found in the temple.

Jeremiah the prophet BEGAN speaking the word of the Lord in the thirteenth year of King Josiah’s reign in Judah. (Jeremiah 1:2 & Jeremiah 25:3 )

Zephaniah the prophet also spoke the word of the Lord during the reign of King Josiah ( Zephaniah 1:1 )

Hilkiah the high priest sought out Huldah the prophetess not because she was his only choice because there were no male prophets in the land.

Hilkiah the high priest sought out Huldah because she was a prophetess of known integrity in speaking the message of the Lord.

Women of the New Testament

Anna

Anna was a prophetess who lived as a widow indeed in the temple.

Luke 2:36-38 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, 37. and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayers. 38. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Anna, the prophetess, continued to speak of Him to all– male and female – who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. She not only recognized Jesus as being the Christ, she did not keep her mouth shut –she went forth proclaiming that the Messiah had come.

Where did Anna continue to speak this message – in the temple!! Just as Anna proclaimed Him in the temple it is permissible for women to proclaim Him and His good news in the church.

Mary (Sister of Martha and Lazarus)

Jesus allowed Mary to sit at His feet – to listen and learn – as He spoke to those in attendance in her home.

Women were NOT allowed to have such a position of learning or being taught in this time. In effect Mary was breaking into an “all men’s club”. She was taking a position not allowed to her by Jewish tradition and rabbinical teaching.

Martha spoke to Jesus NOT from her having to ‘do all the work’ by herself – Martha wanted Jesus to send Mary back to the kitchen where women traditional were considered to belong !!! She want Jesus to send Mary back into what was considered her proper position as a woman.

Jesus did not rebuke Mary for taking this position of learning. Jesus did not send Mary away from this position of learning. Jesus told her SHE HAD CHOSEN THE BEST PART. Jesus received her and commended her for chosing to hear and to learn.

Jesus broke with all tradition when He allowed Mary to sit and learn at His feet.

Mary Magdalene

Jesus told Mary Magdalene “to go tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead.”

Jesus could have shown Himself to His male disciples. Jesus purposely showed Himself first to a woman. Jesus purposely chose a woman to go and tell his disciples.

Jesus rebuked the disciples for not believing Mary Magdalene’s witness of His resurrection!! (Mark 16:11,14)

We find the Scripture reports Jesus’ first act after His resurrection was to appoint a woman. Jesus appointed Mary Magdalene to go and tell His disciples – which included Jesus’ first 11 apostles – that He was risen.

We find Mary Magdalene being given by Jesus the same and not a separate function of going and telling as His witness, just as His male apostles had been instructed by Him.

Phoebe

Romans 16:1-2 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many and myself as well.

The Greek word translated as servant is “diakonos”. According to the Strong’s Greek Dictionary “diakonos” means: “specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): – deacon, minister, servant.”

Phoebe according to the meaning of the “diakonos” was a Christian TEACHER, PASTOR and at the very least a deacon.

This Greek word used of Phoebe is often interchanged with the word “diakoneō” – the word is used of Stephen and the six others who were set aside to serve as deacons in the church in Acts 6.

These Greek words used of Phoebe and Stephen are the same words used of the office of deacon in 1 Timothy 3.

Rom 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant1249of the church which is at Cenchrea;

1Ti 3:8 Deacons1249 likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

1Ti 3:10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons1247 if they are beyond reproach.

1Ti 3:12 Deacons1249must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

1Ti 3:13 For those who have served well as deacons1247 obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The word used to describe Phoebe is the word used in1 Timothy of a “deacon” and the instruction to be the husband of one wife. The use of this Greek word in the description of Phoebe goes along way in proving women as well as men serve in the position and office of deacon in the church.

Stephen is also called a deacon – let’s see his actions as said deacon.

Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

Act 6:9-10 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

Stephen was out among the people performing great wonders and signs, he answered those who questioned him with great wisdom.

What’s my point – if at the very least Phoebe was a deacon in the church this was a position of ministry to the people and this ministry included performing miracles, speaking, and teaching – being able to give an answer to a question with wisdom is definitely a form of teaching.

The Greek word translated as commend means “to approve, to introduce favorably, to stand near.”

Paul by his use of the word ‘commend’ gave his written APPROVAL of Phoebe and her ministry as a – teacher, pastor and at the very least a deacon – as he introduced her to the Corinthian church.

We Do NOT find Scripture giving a separate function to the woman Phoebe. She functioned in a position of enough authority for the Corinthian Church to be instructed to help her in whatever she asked!!!

The Greek word translated as helper or succourer as used in the KJV is “protatis”, which is a feminine form of “proistemi.”

Don’t oversimplify Paul’s description of Phoebe as an “prostatis”.

According to Thayer’s Greek Dictionary “prostatis” means: “a woman set over others, a female guardian, protectress, patroness, caring for the affairs of others and aiding them with her resources”.

According to the Complete Word Study Dictionary “prostatis” means: “to set before. It meant not only a leader, ruler, or director but a patron, a defender of a lower person.”

According to the Strong’s Greek Dictionary “prostatis” is a “Feminine of a derivative of G4291” G4291 is “proistēmi” and means: “to stand before, that is, (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practise: – maintain, be over, rule.”

Paul used words which described Phoebe as a teacher, pastor, or deacon who stood before others in rank, who presided over others, who ruled, and who acted with authority. Paul’s description of Phoebe places her in a position of authority and leadership in the church.

Phoebe acted with authority/leadership in a church. This leadership and authority included both men and women.

Paul instructed the church at Corinth to give Phoebe aid in whatever matter she had need of them.

Don’t oversimplify Phoebe and Paul’s instruction to the church in Rome – made up of both men and women – to “help her in whatever matter she may have need of you”

Phoebe functioned in some position of enough authority for the Corinthian Church to be instructed by Paul to help her in whatever she asked!!!

Phoebe’s position of authority in the church caused others – both male and female – to be instructed to help her in whatsoever she asked.

Paul told the Corinthian church to HELP Phoebe in WHATEVER MATTER she has need of. Now that is a position of authority!! If you have to help me in whatever matter I request for your help then I am in a position of authority over you!!!

I personally believe because of Paul’s use of the word “Proistemi” and its meaning of “to stand before in rank, to preside, to be over, to rule, one who acts with authority” that Phoebe was most likely more that a deacon. I believe she served as either a teacher or pastor in the church – I believe this because she presided, was over, and acted with authority in the church.

Paul’s descriptions of Phoebe DOES NOT show a separate function being given her over her male counterparts.

Junias

Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoner, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

The female name of Junias (and possibly Julia) is used by Paul. Junias served in the office of APOSTLE in the church. Paul described her as being outstanding among the apostles.

The Greek word translated as among is “en” and is a “primary preposition denoting a fixed position (in place, time or state)”.

Junias was NOT simply known among the apostles as some would state to try and explain away her apostleship. Junias held a fixed position as an apostle.

The Greek word translated as outstanding is “episēmos” and means “remarkable and eminent.”

Remarkable according to The Random House College Dictionary means: notably unusual or extraordinary, worthy of notice.

Eminent according to The Random House College Dictionary means high in station, rank, or repute, distinguished, prominent.

Junias is not only described as remarkable – worthy of notice – she was also described as eminent – high in station and rank, distinguished and prominent. Junias was a distinguished and prominent apostle in the early church.

Another fact that tells us Paul is describing Junias as an outstanding apostle is the context of this chapter. Paul is giving instructions to greet certain individuals and he lists their service to the Lord. He lists Andronicus’ and Junias’ service to the Lord as being outstanding apostles.

We have a historical statement made by John Chrysotom (347-407) which directly mentions Junias as a woman who was an apostle. What is so amazing about this statement is the fact that he was not in any of his writings sympathetic towards women. He writes, “Oh how great is that devotion of this WOMAN, that she should be counted worthy of appellation of apostle.”

There is also a statue of the apostle Junias – this statue of her was disfigured by cutting the breasts off of it. This was done in order to make the apostle Junias ‘male’ and not ‘female’.

An apostle has a commission, he is sent out by the Holy Spirit. An apostle’s function is one who is sent out by the Spirit to preach the gospel and establish churches. The Apostle provides spiritual leadership over the church until there is an established spiritual authority who will be entrusted with the leadership of the church. The apostle also guards against any distortion of the gospel; they defend the gospel against heresy, false doctrines, and false teachers.

1 Thessalonians 2:6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you of from others, even though as apostles of Christ, we might have asserted our authority.

Junias possessed this authority as an apostle of Christ.

We again find Scripture to give us NO separate function or role of women in the church.

Priscilla

Priscilla and her husband Aquila taught the Word of God correctly to Apollos.

Acts 18:24-26 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

THEY – Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos aside and explained the way of God more accurately.

We have another Biblical example of a woman giving INSTRUCTION and TEACHIING to a man. In doing so Priscilla DID NOT violate the Word of God or the command of God for women and their function in the church.

According to 1 Corinthians 16:19 they were both also leaders of a church which met in their home.

1Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

We again find Scripture to give us NO separate function or role of women in the church.

Mary

Romans 16:6 Greet Mary who has worked hard for you.

We again find Scripture to give us NO separate function or role of women in the church.

Tyrpheana, Tryphosa and Persis

Romans 16:12 Greet Trypheana and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.

We again find Scripture to give us NO separate function or role of women in the church.

Chloe

1 Cor. 1:11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.

It is clear that Chloe had to have some position of influence – some clot. It is her name Paul used to substantiate the fact that he had received this report and believed what it contained. This report given to Paul from those of Chloe was not considered by him to be a mere rumor or just some gossip; it was received by him as true report. Chloe’s name had to hold some position of influence over the Corinthian church for Paul to have used her name as someone who carried the clot to report this to him and have it be considered absolute truth.

If we look at the fact that Paul received a report concerning the Corinthian church from a delegation sent forth from Chloe to give such a report. This is definitely a woman who held a position of influence and some authority in the church.

We again find Scripture to give us NO separate function or role of women in the church.

Euodia and Syntyche

Phil. 4:2-3 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true comrade, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the gospel, together with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Euodia and Syntyche shared with Paul in the struggle in the gospel as fellow workers. These two women were preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We again find Scripture to give us NO separate function or role of women in the church.

Women preaching in the book of ActsLook at the book of Acts and see its witness of women preaching the Word and testifying as His witnesses.

Acts 10:40-42 “God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

Who ate with Jesus after he rose from the dead??

Luke 24:33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them,

Luke 24:41-43 While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; 43 and He took it and ate it before them.

Who are “those that were with the eleven” and ate with Jesus?

In the book of Acts we find those that were with the eleven numbered 120 and were made up of both male and females.

(Acts 1:14-15) These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 15) At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,

Peter in Acts 10:41-42 is referring to what Jesus spoke to all those who ate with him that day.

Luke 24:46-48 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 “You are witnesses of these things.

Now, you may say that I’m assuming too much because I can’t specifically prove that on that day “those with them” were both male and female.

Let’s look at another section from Acts where we can specifically place women as those who were commanded to witness and to preach.

Acts 13:31-32 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. 32 “And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers,

The Greek word translated as “preach” means “to bring good news, to announce glad tidings, instruct concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation.”

Women as well as men had come up with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem.

Matthew 27:55-56 Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56) Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Mark 15:40-41 there were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Luke 23:49 And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

It is undeniable that both men and women came up to Jerusalem from Galilee with Jesus. Paul in Acts 13:31-32 said those who did so are now His witnesses and preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

Each of these women took their place in this great host of women beside Eve who was given equal rule and dominion over the earth with Adam (Gen. 1:26-28).

God has always used women in positions of leadership and authority. God continues to use women in positions of leadership and authority today.

Paul would have to be double minded to commend women in one breath and then condemn their speaking in the church in another.

Paul commanded in 1Corinthians 16:16 “that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.”

The Greek word translated as ‘such men’ is “toioutos” which means “of this sort, like, such”

The word ‘men’ was added by the translators and IS NOT in the original Greek.

Paul instructs the church to be in subjection to such as these (no gender given) and to EVERYONE who helps in the work and labor.

WOMEN and men are named by Paul as fellow workers and labors in the gospel. Paul instructs the church – made up of both males and females – to obey, to submit unto, and be subordinate to these male and female labors and workers.

Of the 39 co-workers and laborers who Paul mentions by name 1/4 are WOMEN!!!

These women ARE NOT usurping a male’s authority when males in the church obey the instructions of Paul and are in subjection to them.

Paul would be double minded to command this submission and then silence women in the church.

These examples of women in positions of leadership does show women are able and called by God to serve in positions of leadership in the church and when they do so they do not ‘usurp’ the authority of men.

We DID NOT find a ‘separation’ of roles given by God for man and woman at their creation. We have NOT found a ‘separation’ of roles of man and woman even after the fall and the curse was pronounced.

Let’s see what the voice of ‘church history’ has to say about women in positions of leadership and authority in the church.

John Chrysostom (A.D. 347-407), in preaching on Romans 16:7, said in reference to Junias, “Oh! how great is the devotion of this woman, that she should be even counted worthy of the appellation of apostle!”

John Chrysostom was known as “the greatest preacher in the early church”. His “Homilies” on various books of the Bible are considered to be among the valuable works written in this time. Other important treatises written by John Chrysostom include a series of well-known letters to the deaconess Olympias.

The voice of ‘church history’ has NOT been historically against women serving in positions of leadership and authority in the church.

The voice of ‘church history’ speaks of Junias as a woman who served in the church as an apostle. The voice of ‘church history’ has a series of letters written by an early church leader to a deaconess named Olympias.